I am looking to start a 3 +1 screen type sim build. I've been told to avoid 60 hz tvs, get at least 120 hz screens. The three "scenery" tvs are all 1080.

Given that I see many computers described here struggling to achieve up to 30 fps, why would such a faster refresh rate matter? I am thinking of a GTX 1060 card to drive all four monitors and a new computer with a fast multi core CPU.

Is a 120 hz refresh important, since it adds to the cost?
Thanks,

If not going for 3D or wanting to properly run over 60fps, I don’t see why you would add the expense. IMO better to add the cash to get a 1070 card, maybe some 2560x1440 monitors at 60Hz. Easier to run than 4k, looks great on larger screens.
Why tv’s instead of monitors?

Exactly what I was thinking. Why TVs and not monitors?

Bigger TVs at the same resolution (1080p) and you'd see the pixels up close. I think the term here is pixel density? And TVs are usually designed to be viewed from across the room, not from 2-3 feet away.


Depends on computer spec and what you're playing. The Witcher 3 on 4K, sure. The Witcher 3 on 1080p? Should be above 30fps easy. I can run BMS on three screens plus two touchscreens and be above 30fps easy.

Thanks for the responses - I guess I didn't say the size - I am looking for 39-42 inch screens (whether TVs or Monitors) and monitors at that size are 2-3 time the cost.
As for the original question, I guess there is no advantage to a 120hz over a 60Hz refresh unless you get above 60 fps?

Unless planning to run everything consistently above 60fps, then I don't see a benefit to 120Hz.
From my experience, if you're going to be sitting within 6' of the monitors, and you want a screen larger than 25", go for higher resolution. I've had 24, 25, 26, 27" monitors and the 25" is the limit of what I'd use with 1080p.
My advice would be to consider going up a step, or two if going with multiple monitors, to a 1070 or 1080, slightly smaller screen...after all, there will be several...and going up on native resolution. You can probably spend about the same money as you were originally talking about but end up with much higher quality.

What's wrong with 27" or 32" at 1080p RK?

Just didn't look good IMO. Blocky, it showed color transitions in games too much as a result etc, just didn't look good. I lived with a 27" for a couple of years, then started my roller coaster of the other sizes.
In the end, I found the 25" the max I could stand at 1080p without resenting it. Smaller and good quality was better than going for more real estate and looking rough.
When I got this 32" I'm on now (1440p), it was a revelation. I felt like I'd pulled out a thorn I'd had in my side for years. I don't see any need for 4k, this is pretty much perfect at this size. I'm sure I might feel different if going around the 40" range, then I'd want 4k.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by blocky and color transitions... just asking as I'm using 27" 1080p screens and was wondering if I should up to maybe 32" but still be at 1080p.

Unless you sit back a lot, like you might in a sim rig as opposed to at a desk, I wouldn't even consider that at 27" much less 32".
Compare how your screen looks at your regular viewing distance vs a few more feet back. Then move forward closer and closer to the screen. There's a point where the image just doesn't look good enough to be desirable. You see pixels and color variations making up the images, dark halos of grays instead of shadows.
There's a point where you just need to go up in resolution for the size monitor you want.

What works for me:

From 30" viewing distance big screen, big pixels can be an issue. My 32" 1440p leaves nothing to be desired as far as pixels are concerned -- and is wide enough to replace Eyefinity for RPG games and third person action. However, 34" or 36" might be slightly better ideal size. I value high native contrast also -- 3000:1 minimum or I won't buy it.

I use1080p up to 27" diagonal on two other PCs in the house. I would say for me that 27" would be the absolute maximum diagonal at 1080p and 30" view distance -- but, still good for my eyes (with 3000:1 or better). Need more resolution if larger than 27" or sit farther away.

For reference, on a good eye day my vision is 20/20 or better at 30". Often, its 20/25 to 20/30 on a monitor (dry eye comes and goes). So, maybe I don't see pixels because I don't see

Parenthetically, when I had my old, garbage 20/50+ (with glasses) eyes "fixed", I specified excellent vision at computer distances (most folks want long distance vision).

I see what you're saying RK but my locked seating position is about 3ft from my display screens. Isn't that roughly desktop viewing distance as well, if not at least just further back?

I wear glasses or contacts and with correction, my eyesight is better than 20/20, even slightly better than 30/20 according to my optometrist.

Personal preference comes into play, but I bet if you sat at a comparable monitor but 1440p you’d feel the same.
Or maybe not?

I'm just trying to find these issues you mention -- pixels, color variations, halos -- and seeing if they are there and if it bothers me. I'm not seeing any, or at least never noticed any. What sim or game did you have these issues with?

Not doubting or questioning you at all, just to be clear Just trying to replicate the issues on my end to see if I have them and if I'm okay with them.

It isn't just about a game, I noticed the pixels even on the desktop. Text, in the browser, games, whatever. Different brands of monitors.
For me, my 32" 1440p monitor at the usual 2 to 3' distance looks as smooth as using a 26" 1080p monitor from 8' away, or going back down to a 19" monitor. Less blocky, better coloration/blending and shading in games.
If you go up in screen size, you need to go up in pixel count. Blocks of color are still just blocks of color. Staying at the same resolution, but going up in screen size, you're just making those blocks bigger and bigger, making them more and more noticeable.
For me, 25" 1080p was the limit, but even that didn't look remotely as good as this does now.

Hmmm... you must have sharper eyesight than I do.

Just wanted to say thanks for all the responses - this was just the kind of dialog I was looking for...